Page 653 of 817

Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the

servants remained. But when they had withdrawn, he said to her,

"Mrs. Bennet, before you take any, or all of these houses, for

your son and daughter, let us come to a right understanding. Into

one house in this neighbourhood they shall never have admittance.

I will not encourage the imprudence of either, by receiving them

at Longbourn."